Inflammatory Reactions Induced by PTFE Tapes (Study in Rabbits)

Purpose: To evaluate the inflammatory response due to the use of ultra-thin PTFE tapes. Methods: Ten Norfolk rabbits were submitted a surgical procedure. They received 60 mm (long) × 18 mm (wide) × 0.05 mm (thick) PTFE tape implants in the ears and inguinal region. After 3 months, the material was extracted from the implantation site for histological analysis. Each sample was analyzed with presence or absence of inflammation. It was characterized by type (acute or chronic-whether chronic, granulomatous or not), amount (mild, intense or moderate) and type of leukocyte infiltrate (eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils or macrophages). In addition, neovasculogenesis and fibrosis of the lesion were evaluated for their presence and intensity. Results: From the statistical analysis of the histology of the slides, we noticed predominantly: characteristic standard of chronic type inflammation, with mild to moderate intensity and presence of granulomatous response (foreign-giant cells). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the use of ultra-thin PTFE tape as an implant in animals presented: mild to moderate inflammatory response process of chronic granulomatous type, with the presence of mild to moderate neovasculogenesis and with the presence of mild to moderate fibrosis in the region.